Disability Rights Arkansas

Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

*Photos taken by DRA staff during onsite monitoring visits. Photos reflect the most recent conditions observed by DRA staff but may not reflect the current conditions at the facility. If you are associated with a facility and have updated information or photos you would like to share, please contact DRA at rstanford@disabilityrightsar.org

Location: Springdale, AR                   Population Served: Adolescent girls ages 7-17

# of residents per unit: Up to 12 Residents per room: 2 Capacity: 32

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Weekly calls up to 3x/week for 10 minutes, intervention call available 1x/week for 10 minutes. Visitation available 2x/week for 30 minutes if previously scheduled. Zoom available if in person is not possible.

Restraint utilized? Yes Chemical Restraint utilized? Yes Seclusion utilized? Yes 

Treatment Components:

Clinical Director: LCSW                    Therapists: 2 full-time therapists (1 LMSW, 1 LAC)

Treatment modalities offered: Facility declined to identify any specific modalities available.

# of individual therapy sessions/week: Varies by client, most clients receive one individual therapy session per month

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: 3

 

DRA Monitoring/Investigations

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Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported a staff member pulled her into an office, blocked the camera, and took juvenile’s hand and put her hand down his pants. Staff member then allowed juvenile to give him a “hand job”, and began grabbing her butt and kissing her. Juvenile also disclosed 2 more incidents involving separate staff members, the 1st of which was already reported and investigated. The 2nd incident involved an alleged staff member that allowed juvenile to “rub her [staff] vagina.” Juvenile stated it happened all the time at the staff table in the dayroom. Due to the facility refusing to release the alleged staff member’s name and DOB, police provided 2 subpoenas to facility (for video and staff information). The alleged staff member (initial incident) was arrested as of 9/12/22. On 9/20/22, police seized video footage from the facility that had not been provided.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Dual (Maltreatment)
    • Peer disclosed to staff that client told her she had sex with a staff member last night. Camera footage was reviewed and showed staff member and client going into the cafeteria and off camera on 3 separate occasions, the longest time off camera being 7 minutes. Client spoke with staff and stated she had sex with staff member on 2 separate occasions with last night being the last time. Staff member was sent home on suspension pending investigation and his key fob disabled. Client’s clothes from the previous night were placed in a bag. Client will be interviewed and evaluated by the Children’s Safety Center.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing follow-up: Specialist viewed camera footage on 8/22/22 and observed staff and client in the hallway going into different locations of the building. It appeared they were going to fill up water dispensers. Licensing complaint founded due to misconduct of staff member (Cited R109.1.g: Staff member engaged in sexual activity with a resident). CACD investigation: Substantiated.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported that a staff member took her to a room without video surveillance and had sex with her 4 times. Video footage was reviewed and showed juvenile and staff member going to the room 4 times, and being off camera for 7-10 minutes each time. Juvenile described multiple incidents over several days where the alleged staff member kissed her, touched her breasts, “fingered” her vagina, penetrated her vagina with his penis, and penetrated her mouth with his penis where he ejaculated into her mouth. The alleged staff member was placed on suspension, the Child Abuse Hotline was called, and a rape kit was conducted at the Child Safety Center. On 8/24/22, police hand delivered a subpoena to the facility requesting video footage of 90 days prior to the termination of the alleged staff member, and had not received video as of 9/12/22. The alleged staff member was arrested as of 9/12/22. On 9/20/22, police seized video footage from the facility that had not been provided. As of 1/6/23, DNA samples were collected from the alleged staff member to compare to the evidence collected from the rape kit.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Dual (Maltreatment)
    • Client reported that on 8/17/22, staff member pulled her into the YCC office and put her hand down his pants, kissed her, touched her butt, and then pulled his pants down and exposed himself to her. Camera footage review indicates that the camera was partially blocked prior to the time indicated but did show client in the office during the time period. Staff member had already been sent home on suspension pending investigation and was terminated on 8/18/22 due to violating standard operation procedures.
    • Licensing follow-up: Specialist viewed camera footage on 8/22/22 and observed client and staff member being on and off view of camera. The camera footage in the YCC office was blocked so no faces were observed, just people going in and out of the office. Licensing complaint founded due to misconduct of staff member (Cited R109.1.g: Staff member engaged in sexual activity with a resident). CACD investigation: Substantiated.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Licensing spoke with the Director of Nursing regarding an incident that occurred. The residents have been separated and the aggressor was placed on room ban. Licensing is not prepared to leave a finding at this time regarding the outcome. Facility cited for late reporting.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 1.110.12 – The agency shall notify the Licensing Unit by the next business day when a report of child maltreatment is accepted by the child abuse hotline against the owner/operator, employee, foster parent, volunteer, child, or other person in a child welfare agency

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client used their fingernails to re-open old scars on their left arm. Client’s self-harm precaution for 7 days was extended. Client met with their therapist and C-SSR completed.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client informed the RN that they self-harmed with a small piece of plastic they found on the floor. Superficial cuts noted to client’s left arm. Client was assessed by nursing staff; No first aid required. The client was placed on a self-harm precaution.
    • Licensing follow-up on 8/15/22: Client was assessed and processed with nursing staff. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client used the hook from her bra on her arms to self-harm. Client was assessed by nursing staff; No first aid required. Client was placed on a self-harm precaution for 7 days.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Forced Sexual Contact, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

  • Sexual Contact (Forced)
    • Client disclosed that peer hugged client and roughly fondled their fingers inside of client without consent. Client reported that this has happened on several occasions while on the blue unit and always in a bedroom. Residents have not been on the same unit for approximately 30-45 days.
    • Child Abuse Hotline called and accepted. Licensing follow-up on 8/12/22: Per DON, the residents have not been on the same unit for 30 days. One of the clients is on room ban (client can only get dressed in client’s room). CACD investigation was closed and unfounded. Facility cited 110.12 for late reporting.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile reported a staff member had been touching her inappropriately, multiple times a day over the past 3 weeks. Juvenile stated the staff member touches her “on the ass or my tits”, and has given her multiple front hugs, in which staff “had a boner every time.” Officer viewed camera footage at facility of a particular incident that juvenile referred to. The staff member was observed giving juvenile a front-to-front hug, during which he leans in until both their faces are touching, and places his right hand straight onto juvenile’s rear end. Officer stated the strategy of the hug appeared to be so staff could reach her rear end. It was also later discovered that juvenile had told staff that she groped staff’s private area, and staff stated he wouldn’t say anything. Officer was informed that other staff were confronting juvenile about the allegation, due to alleged staff member being a “beloved staff member.” Facility CEO requested a subpoena from police to release the video footage. The alleged staff member was sent home on leave until the investigation is complete.

Police Report

Sex Offenses

Juvenile disclosed that she was in a relationship with a peer, and peer would put her hand into juvenile’s pants and put her fingers in her vagina. Juvenile stated this happened numerous times, and juvenile had not told peer that the touching was not okay or to stop. After reporting the incident to staff, peer was moved to a different area of the facility. State Police will be closing this case as unfounded, due to juvenile’s interview and that juvenile had not stated to peer that the touching was unwanted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Injury

  • Self-injury
    • Client hit a wall, causing open skin and bleeding to 2 knuckles. The client was treated by the RN. Licensing follow-up: Client was treated at the facility.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm (1)
    • It was reported that client had bilateral marks on arms from biting themselves. No first aid needed. The client was placed on a self-harm safety plan.
    • Licensing follow-up on 8/1/22: Licensing inquired how long client will be on safety plan. Response email indicated 7 days.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm (2)
    • Client attempted to cut off circulation to their hand by wrapping a hair tie tightly around their wrist. The hair tie was removed with no injury. The client was placed on a self-harm safety plan for 7 days and will not be allowed to use hair ties during this time.
    • Licensing follow-up on 8/1/22: Afterhours hotline for facility was called.

PRLU or OLTC

Arrest, Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Visit Compliance Report

  • Self-harm, Arrest
    • Client tied a hair tie around their hand in attempt to cut off circulation. Staff removed hair tie and client was placed on a safety plan. Client then tried to tie a shirt around their neck; Staff intervened and removed the shirt. Client then became physically and verbally aggressive with staff and was placed in a restraint. Due to continued aggression while in containment, police were called, and charges filed. The client was transported to JDC.
    • Licensing follow-up: Facility cited 110.17 for late reporting.

Police Report

Assault, Battery

Caller (staff) stated she would like to press charges due to her being assaulted by juvenile. Caller stated juvenile was being violent with a staff member and when she went to assist, juvenile grabbed a chunk of her hair and pulled it out. Police responded to scene. Juvenile was transported to JDC.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client informed RN that they self-harmed with a sharp piece of plastic found under a bed. Bilateral superficial cuts noted on arms and thighs. No first aid needed. The client turned in contraband to RN and was placed on a 7-day self-harm precaution safety plan with increased line of sight. No follow-up details.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Staff Attacked, Suicide Attempt

  • Suicidal Attempt & Staff Attacked
    • Client became aggressive with staff due to not having markers. The client was separated from staff and residents and placed in the calming room. While in the calming room, the client removed their shirt and another item and attempted to tie both around their neck. Staff removed both objects from client’s neck and offered a paper top to client, but client refused.
    • Licensing follow-up: 1 to 5 ratio, bruises noted on staff, no medical intervention required.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

  • Self-harm
    • Client was in their room with contraband, attempting to self-harm. Client had superficial cuts to forearm but was uninjured. Client was placed on a 7-day self-harm precaution.
    • Licensing follow-up on 7/22/22: Inquired about contraband, self-harm precaution, and incident report. Self-harm precautions explained.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Licensing visit conducted from 12:10 – 13:55 with Program Coordinator Chelsea Vardell. Licensing viewed all 4 units where residents are housed, the seclusion rooms, and the restroom by the seclusion room. MARs viewed for multiple residents. Licensing discussed the new changes in staff with facility management:
    • The current interim CEO/Clinical Director will be leaving at the end of the week, and a new CEO will be selected soon.
    • A new assistant Director of Nursing will begin next week.
    • The new Clinical Director will be an in-house promotion of a current therapist and a new therapist will begin next week.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 9.911.15.f – Areas used by children shall be designed, constructed, and furnished to reduce risk of suicide and assault.
    • 9.912.4 – The bathroom shall be clean and sanitary.
  • TA –
    • 9.910.1 – The grounds of the facility shall be kept clean and free of safety hazards.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt

  • Suicidal Attempt
    • Client wrote “I want to die” in their journal and per staff, reported suicidal thoughts. Client took a sweatshirt and attempted to tie it around their neck; Staff were able to remove the sweatshirt with no injury. Client was taken off the unit to process one on one with staff, and was placed on self-harm precaution.
    • Licensing follow-up on 7/22/22: Emailed regarding self-harm precaution.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Not listed.
  • Buildings & grounds conducted; Census: 24. Areas observed: Green Hall and Orange Hall. Staff/client ratio for both was 1:8. MARs checked for multiple residents. No licensing concerns noted during visit.